Monday, April 05, 2010

10 Signs of a Great Preschool

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)'s10 Signs of a Great Preschool:

Children spend most of their playing and working with materials or other children. They do not wander aimlessly, and they are not expected to sit quietly for long periods of time.

Children have access to various activities throughout the day. Look for assorted building blocks and other construction materials, props for pretend play, picture books, paints and other art materials, and table toys such as matching games, pegboards and puzzles. Children should not all be doing the same thing at the same time.

Teachers work with individual children, small groups, and the whole group at different times during the day. They do not spend all their time with the whole group.

The classroom is decorated with children's original artwork, their own writing with invented spelling, and stories dictated by children to teachers.

Children learn numbers and the alphabet in the context of their everyday experiences. The natural world of plants and animals and meaningful activities like cooking, taking attendance, or serving snack provide the basis for learning activities.

Children work on projects and have long periods of time (at least one hour) to play and explore. Worksheets are used little if at all.

Children have an opportunity to play outside every day. Outdoor play is never sacrificed for more instructional time.

Teachers read books to children individually or in small groups throughout the day, not just at group story time.

Curriculum is adapted for those who are ahead as well as those who need additional help. Teachers recognize that children's different background and experiences mean that they do not learn the same things at the same time in the same way.

Children and their parents look forward to school. Parents feel secure about sending their child to the program. Children are happy to attend; they do not cry regularly or complain of feeling sick.

2 comments:

"Children have an opportunity to play outside every day. Outdoor play is never sacrificed for more instructional time."

We don't outdoors everyday but we do have our indoor playscape area that the kids gets to climb around on everyday. When it is even half way decent, we take walks and today we spent the whole day in the park. It was a quick circle time, our small art project and then off to the park. We got back as the parents were pulling up for pickup and it was great!

Here's a blog about life as a parent, spouse, and active (yet sleep-deprived) human being. I also write about topics related to early childhood education and fitness. You will also find parenting ideas and topics, recipes, media reviews, and community information about Central Illinois.

About Me

I am a stay-home mom/now-preschool teacher/fitness instructor/personal trainer with a background in child development and special education...I live with a wonderful paramedic/event planner/home improvement hubby and four nutty but lovable kids, baby, 6, 8, 15yo! We love to eat chocolate, dance, and make music as we live our frugal and liberal lives.
Email me at seasonedmom(at)gmail(dot)com